Next month begins a familiar rite of passage as thousands of high school seniors across South Carolina prepare to walk across the stage and receive their high school diploma. This moment reflects four years of hard work and sacrifice, as these young men and women embark on their journey to adulthood.
Nearly a year ago, one of those students was Midlands native Trinidy Higgins. Waiting for her name to be called at Gray Collegiate Academy’s commencement ceremony, she wondered what lay ahead of her.
Her success at Gray had gone beyond the classroom. Through opportunities afforded to her such as the Charter Institute at Erskine’s Ambassadorship program, Trinidy was able to gain experience statewide speaking at the annual School Choice Week Rally, attending state senate education hearings, making lifelong connections and friendships outside of school, and helping the Institute host its annual awards banquet. Trinidy found the Ambassadorship afforded her with unique networking opportunities that confirmed her passion for public relations.
A year later, with a successful freshman year at Howard University almost done, Trinidy took time away from college life to speak with us about the impact her public charter school had on her education and career pathway.
“I was able to take advantage of numerous academic opportunities that Gray offered to its student body. First, I took dual credit classes, which gave me a huge advantage when I entered college, as I actually have enough class credits to qualify as a junior. I can graduate early, by the fall of 2025, saving a full two years’ worth of tuition! I definitely learned early on in high school that Gray offered many opportunities for students to excel, and I had to take advantage of them.
“For example, for athletes, they had to travel a lot, to compete against other schools out-of-state. Gray really supported that and it benefited those athletes to help raise their national profile. I learned a lot through the National Honor Society that has helped me at Howard. The school provided different opportunities for students to grow as individuals. There were so many clubs, everyone could find one to participate in, and I think that is a common theme among schools that come under the umbrella of the Charter Institute at Erskine.
“Everyone is at a public charter school by choice. People chose to be at Gray. They made that decision. That is why I think there wasn’t any bullying at the school, why the student-athletes were so serious about their academic work and their training. In my senior year, everyone was asking each other what their GPA was, people were competitive, but in a healthy way. People were always trying to learn, and the culture there at Gray was one that was positive, where other students were continually setting a high bar and everyone else was striving to reach that same level of excellence.
“The Ambassador program offered by the Charter Institute at Erskine was one of the biggest opportunities outside of Gray that I had the chance to participate in. I am really interested in public relations and that program allowed me to speak before the SC state senate, address the annual school choice rally at the state capitol building, and meet elected officials. I was able to speak to them about why our state needs more funding for school choice programs and to expand public charter schools.
“The ambassadorship gave me invaluable experience to talk to people about the impact these schools are having across our state. I was able to engage in public speaking, develop a stage presence and a lot more confidence, and not be afraid to take on a much bigger role when it comes to my own professional goals. It really helped me learn how to engage an external audience and bring together different skills as someone interested in a public relations career.
“Gray’s motto is “it’s not college prep, it’s college.” Now, as a college freshman, I realize how true that statement is. You have a lot more time on your hands and more freedom, but you have a lot more responsibility to effectively manage that time. Gray is absolutely preparing you for a college schedule. You are developing your own daily routine, you’re being responsible and disciplined, and preparing yourself as a young adult.
“At Gray, you can take high-level classes through college credit courses in the tenth grade, which I did. All the technological tools that we used at Gray, we use at Howard. We had professors and office hours, which is the same thing I have in college. It was an adjustment for sure in the tenth grade, but starting early made a huge difference, as I was already used to having a schedule like a college student for three years. This is something for which I am truly grateful that Gray provided to me and my classmates.
“Looking back, the biggest challenge I faced was the decision to stop playing sports. While athletics is important at Gray, the focus on academic excellence is key. I knew the work I needed to do to get into the top HBCUs and all the steps I had to take to reach my goals. I knew that I had to pour much of myself into my academics. I made that decision in the tenth grade, and the very next year, I received the Ambassadorship from the Charter Institute at Erskine. So it was a very difficult decision at the time, but it provided me with more clarity. I knew that athletics was important to me, and I realized that I could develop a professional career in public relations in college or professional athletics.
“I still stay in touch with friends in high school and I tell them it’s never too soon to start planning your future. Time waits for no one. The pandemic seems like yesterday, but it was four years ago. When you turn eighteen, you’re an adult. You can join the military, go to college, start working, or just take time off. It’s up to you. Yes, you’re young, but you have to start planning and thinking about how you get to the next level, whether it’s in the military and you’re trying to climb the ranks, or how you get to a manager position if you’re working as an employee. I would tell high school seniors, develop a plan, don’t just go on blindly, not knowing where you’re going. Having that plan is your guidepost to help you get to where you want to go.
“The opportunities Gray provided me and the superb student body, those helped me create a fantastic network. I would never have had the chance to make the connections I had with Ashley and Jacob with the communications team at the Charter Institute at Erskine, with Mr. V (Vamshi Rudrapati), or with Superintendent Runyan. I think of the network I built with the professors at Gray and other students. My Erskine Ambassadorship opened up a lot of doors for me to meet so many more people in leadership roles that I never would have without it. If I had gone to a traditional high school, I wouldn’t have had these opportunities and the chance to meet the people I have been enrolled at Gray.”
Left to Right Ashley Epperson, Trinidy Higgins, Vamshi Rudrapati, Christian DeWalk, Jacob Carter
The Charter Institute at Erskine estimates that 1,500 students will graduate from 16 of its high schools next month. From our staff to our students and families – be proud of all the hard work and success you had these past four years. A lifetime of accomplishments lie ahead of you, and we cannot wait to see what is in store for your future.
You can follow Trinidy’s adventures at Howard on her LinkedIn page.
